Dallas Cowboys could keep Doug Free at RG permanently
By Mike Dyce
The injuries to the interior of the Dallas Cowboys offensive line has forced them to get creative. Their moving right tackle Doug Free to the right guard spot. Free wasn’t initially considered a fit for the role because he has almost no experience at the guard position on any level, but desperation forced the Cowboys hand.
“It was one of the things we considered and certainly one of the things we considered when we restructured Doug Free’s contract back in the spring,” head coach Jason Garrett said, via Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. “He has the traits to move inside. We thought that might be an option.”
The Cowboys had Free practicing at guard again on Monday after playing there in the Cowboys third preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Free agent guards from last offseason Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau have been banged up. Bernadeau’s starting spot is in jeopardy with the move and money committed to Free. Bernadeau sat out Monday’s practice with a ankle injury and David Arkin filled in for him at left guard.
Either way, Bernadeau was considered expendable once Ron Leary returns from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier this month.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Bernadeau said Saturday. “We don’t really think too much about it.”